FWIW if you're wondering why ammo manufacturers would market .38Spl+P+ ammo that will blow up most .38Spl revolvers, here's why.
In the late 60s and early 70s, some state and local governments, primarily in some large Northeastern and Midwestern cities, became concerned that .357Mag ammo was too powerful and was therefore inhumane for law-enforcement use. (Let's not get sidetracked discussing the logic, or lack thereof, in this conclusion; I'm merely reporting the facts.) Some of these governments passed ordinances banning the use of .357 Magnum ammo, and others adopted policy-level bans due to fear of lawsuits.
It didn't take long for the ammo manufacturers to figure out that they could load ammo to .357Mag pressures in a .38Spl case, and viola- +P+. Hence, when the district attorney came knocking, the chief of police could show him a box that said ".38 SPECIAL", and since all of the beat cops were already carrying .357Mag revolvers, there was no problem using the extra-hot ammo.
However, it didn't take long for savvy attorneys to figure out this obvious shell game, nor did it take long for unethical or ignorant ammo dealers to start selling +P+ ammo to the general public, some of whom were inevitably compelled by their own machismo to try out this extra-potent "Law Enforcement Only" ammo. Throw in the numerous late 80s switchovers to hi-capacity 9mm semi-autos, and by 1990, most police agencies had stopped buying .38Spl+P+. The combination of low demand and liability concerns prompted all the ammo makers except Federal to drop it from production.
S&W made the 41 Mag in several configurations. Value depends on actual condition (need something more descriptive than beautiful), barrel length, finish (blued, nickle or stainless), series (57, 57-1, 57-2, 657, etc.) and date of manufacture (provide serial number including the letter prefixes), you can "X" out the last couple digits. See pics in post #1978 in this thread for model and serial number locations.Trying tofing out the value of my S&W 41 MAG - it's in beautiful condition
The serial number is on the front tang/forestrap of the the grip frame.Is it posible to know the date a REGULATION POLICE 38 S & W CTG revolver was manufactured and/or sold by the factory?
The only markings I could find were, with the cylinder open, in the frame the number 1XXX and in the back of the cylinder (on the loading side) The number 9XXX both without any letters as prefix. This last number 9XXX was marked also on the bottom side of the barrel
Assuming there is an "S" prefix with that number then S103XXX would be 1954 which makes it a pre 27. The 3.5" barrel is a big plus on what is a very desirable/collectable gun.Hello all. I just rec'd what I thought was a model 27 from a Gunbroker deal, but it has no model number, and a six-digit serial number of 103xxx; number is also stamped on cylinder. (I didn't remove grips to see if they were also numbered). Left the pistol with the gunsmith for some timing and lockup work.
It has the diamond grips, 3.5 inch bbl, and checkered topstrap, so I'm assuming it's pre-model designation, post-registered magnum. Any info you can provide would be of interest.
Serial number puts it at 1948. Unless it is beat to crap, that is a really great price. S&W's K-22's are among the highest quality 22 caliber revolvers made, especially from that time period.reliability,DOB, and value on a Smith and Wesson; double action, 22 caliber, blued, 6 inch barrel, 6 shot revolver. The estimated age is 30 years and from what I see on this forum someone out there will be able to educate me. That may be more than you need as the serial number is K67XXX
Any modern factory .22LR ammo is safe to use in any K-22. The chamber walls and forcing cone are, in effect, ridiculously overbuilt. You will never damage it with any modern load.Can I assume then that in general terms modern ammo in this firearm is a non issue especially as I do not think 22 ammo has changed since then?